Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail a Varied Bird Habitat

Last Updated 1/16/2024 • Posted in Eufaula, AL South, Bird Watching

Eufaula and the Yoholo Micco Trail

GPS: 31.9155347 -85.119306 | Yoholo-Micco Trail | Eufaula, AL 36027

Yoholo Micco Trail traverses some 3.2 miles through grassy meadows, mixed woodlands, past a (hidden) waterfall, across a former railroad bridge skirting the shoreline of Lake Eufaula, then through a residential section of the historic City of Eufaula, before terminating at Old Creek Town Park. The most interesting species may be the nesting pairs of Bald Eagles and Ospreys. You can spot everything from Pileated Woodpeckers and Winter Wrens to Anhingas and Common Loons along the trail at some time of the year.

Side Notes:

The 3.2 miles of trail is a paved trail perfect for walking, running, and bicycling. The trail meanders along Lake Eufaula. There are benches and picnic tables along the way for you to stop and enjoy the scenery.

The main trail leads you through hardwood forest to historic Fairview Cemetery and a park known as “Treehugger Park”, the perfect place for a picnic.

If you venture off the beaten path, there are several nature trails and one takes you to a cool waterfall and another where you can walk on the old railroad tracks.

Old Creek Town Park, on the shores of Lake Eufaula, is a recreational park featuring a beach area, picnic area and pavilion, a children’s “Playground of Dreams," a fishing pier, and boat landing. This well-wooded 205-acre park also offers great opportunities for birding. The diverse habitats provide opportunities to see wrens, sparrows, Eastern Towhees, Brown Thrashers, and many birds of prey, like the Red-tailed Hawk or Osprey.

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge Support Almost 300 Species of Birds

GPS: 31.9878741 -85.103757 | 367 Highway 165 | Eufaula, AL 36027-8187

According to the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF), the refuge wetlands, croplands, woodlands, old fields, grasslands and open water create a mosaic of wildlife-rich habitats that support almost 300 species of birds, 40 species of mammals and many amphibians, reptiles and fish. Eufaula NWR, established in 1964, offers a wildlife drive, a wildlife viewing platform and observation tower, and walking trails. The vast diversity of habitats offers great birding by car, on foot or by bicycle. Look for songbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds throughout the park. Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, and Eastern Screech-Owls all nest on the refuge.

Side Notes:

Make sure you take sunscreen and insect repellents
A seven-mile auto tour route, two observation platforms, a one-third mile walking trail.
Alligators are commonly seen, especially on cool sunny days - some even 14 feet in length. Watch your pets (Pets on a leash are permitted.) and do not feed alligators!
There are lots of resident mammals, such as squirrels, bobcats, rabbits, and deer.
The park has beautiful flowers and butterflies.
The refuge is open daily during daylight hours.
Fishing and boating is allowed but some restrictions apply. Swimming is not allowed!(Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alabama Birding Trail and National Wildlife Foundation)

Lakepoint Resort State Park On The Banks of Lake Eufaula

GPS: 31.985877 -85.1087675 | 104 Lakepoint Dr. | Eufaula, AL 36027

Lakepoint Resort State Park, located on the banks of the 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, has a wide variety of habitats for birds, as well as many recreational opportunities for visitors, including fishing, boating, golf, swimming, and 5miles of hiking trails. As you enter the park on Lakepoint Drive the 1st right turn passes through grassy meadows, which are good for spotting winter sparrows, Eastern

Meadowlarks, Eastern Bluebirds. Continue driving through the park to the Marina where shorebirds, gulls and terns, can be found on the sandy beach. The woods of the park have numerous Pine Warblers and Brown-headed Nuthatches, as well as Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Songbirds can always be found along the park roads.

Tips

The park has many amenities: boating, fishing, hiking on its four trails, picnicking and tennis. Pavilions are available for rent as well.
There is an Off-Road Vehicle Course designed for beginners to those more advanced drivers. It is inside the park and is a family-friendly six-mile course.
Day use hours are 8:00 am to 6:30 pm. There is a fee for the park
Overnight options range from camping, cabins, and even a lodge.
Dining options are available at the restaurants inside the park.
Alligators have been sighted here too!